As fans in Chicago and Houston savored the unfamiliar scene, the White Sox (88 years without a championship) got the jump on the Astros (0 for 43) in a Fall Classic that had a refreshingly new look and feel

Ethiopian-born Meb Keflezighi has lived in the U.S. for 18 years and even won an Olympic medal for his adopted country. Maybe if he wins the New York City Marathon next week, he'll finally shed his image as a foreigner

Week Ahead

No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 16 Florida Those were no crocodile tears Gators first-year coach Urban Meyer cried at his postgame press conference two weeks ago. Meyer had reason to be upset after his 5-2 team lost to another ranked opponent, LSU. Now Florida faces the Bulldogs, who are looking to move up from fourth in the BCS rankings with a statement win at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, in Jacksonville. CBS 3:30 p.m.

Breeders' Cup With $14 million up for grabs in the eight races at Belmont Park, it's no surprise that there are 117 entries--the most since 2000. Afleet Alex, winner of two legs of the Triple Crown this year, is sidelined with a leg injury, so undefeated Lost in the Fog (page 83) can make a strong case for Horse of the Year honors with a win in the Sprint. NBC 1 p.m.

SUNDAY 10/30

Packers at Bengals In years past a trip to Cincinnati hasn't been a frightening prospect. But the Bengals, behind MVP candidate Carson Palmer (left), are off to a 5-2 start and look like a safe bet to have their first winning season since 1990 (the last time they started 5-2). The same can't be said of Green Bay--but despite its 1-5 record, the Pack is only two games out of first place in the NFC North. Fox 1 p.m.

TUESDAY 11/1

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel T he show features a profile of one of the NBA's most volatile superstars, Pacers forward Ron Artest. Almost a year after brawling with fans during a game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Artest (right) has become a popular fellow. He appeared on the cover of SI last week and will grace the cover of the December issue of Penthouse. (Artest's Pacers take on the Heat on Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. on TNT.) HBO 10 p.m.

Predators at Mighty Ducks Shootout anyone? No one loves the NHL's new rules more than Nashville, which is off to a 7-0-0 start, thanks to three shootout victories. The credit (left) goes to goalie Tomas Vokoun--one of the few players in the league who didn't get the memo about this year's offensive explosion. He has a .934 save percentage and a 1.95 GAA. Check listings, 10:30 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK¬†

Sharpened Spurs Few teams were hotter last spring than the Nuggets, who finished the season on a 32-8 run to sneak into the playoffs. In the first round, though, they ran into the eventual champs, the Spurs, who knocked them out in five. They meet again in San Antonio to open the 2005-06 season. The Spurs reloaded in the off-season by adding former All-Stars Michael Finley (right) and Nick Van Exel (left) to their bench, while Denver will be buoyed by the return of shooting guard Voshon Lenard, who missed 79 games last season with a torn left Achilles. TNT 8 p.m.

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything